Discovering England’s Iconic Summer Gardens

Thursday 26th June

Our tour departs the Sheraton Heathrow Hotel at Heathrow Airport mid-morning for the quaint Cotswolds town of Burford. We have time to explore before having lunch in a local inn (included). The then visit Oxleaze Farm where we meet the owner for a tour of this exuberant garden which combines formality and informality.

In the late afternoon we check in to the 4-star King’s Head Hotel in the heart of the historic Cotswolds market town of Cirencester. Dinner is in the hotel (included).

Friday 27th June

Today we enjoy a tour of a very romantic, private garden that surrounds a 15th century dovecote that has been converted into a beautiful house. We then visit the Royal Gardens at Highgrove, the private home of HM King Charles III and Queen Camilla. These gardens are widely regarded as some of the most innovative in the UK. After our tour of the gardens, we have lunch in the private Garden Room (included).

We then return to Cirencester where your evening is at leisure (dinner independent).

Please note: Visits to Highgrove are limited and dependent on the King’s diary. Dates are released in early spring each year, therefore it is not possible to guarantee a visit before this time. Our itinerary may be re-ordered to accommodate the visit, or an alternative garden will be included should a visit not be possible.

Saturday 28th June

This morning we visit Rodmarton Manor, one of the finest Arts & Crafts houses in Britain. We enjoy a private tour of the house followed by time to explore the gardens and have lunch in the barn (included).

In the afternoon, there will be a short walking tour of the fascinating town of Cirencester where the remainder of the afternoon and evening is at leisure (dinner independent).

Sunday 29th June

Our first stop today is at one of the most attractive small towns in the Cotswolds, Broadway, where there is time for lunch (independent) and shopping.

We then go on to Kiftsgate Court, a delightfully laid out plantsman’s garden on the Cotswolds escarpment with magnificent views over the Vale of Evesham.

We end the day with an exclusive ‘after hours’ visit to the famous Hidcote Manor Garden. We will enjoy the garden, as very few do, after closing with a stroll through the garden and drinks on the terrace. We return to the hotel for dinner (included).

Monday 30th June

After check-out we travel south-east to Kent. We make a stop at RHS Wisley, the Royal Horticultural Society’s flagship garden. We will enjoy a guided tour so you will be sure to see the very best of these impressive gardens. Lunch is (included) in the private Tulip Room.

In the afternoon, we check in to the very special Astor Wing at Hever Castle. We have a private tour of this romantic, double-moated medieval castle followed by dinner in the Tudor Dining Suite (included).

Tuesday 1st July

This morning we enjoy time at leisure at Hever Castle to explore the extensive gardens. There will be a private talk about the rose garden in the morning and time for lunch (independent)

In the afternoon we visit Town Place Garden. This private 3-acre garden, set around a 17th century Sussex farmhouse, features over 600 roses.

Afterwards we continue onto a superb, private 6-acre garden that is divided by hedges into smaller gardens, reflecting different periods of English garden design. We are treated to dinner in the Coach House (included).

Wednesday 2nd July

This morning we enjoy a visit to Nymans Garden, one of the most fashionable and romantic gardens of the Edwardian and interwar years, and the creation of the Messel family.

In the afternoon we have lunch (included) and time to explore the exquisite gardens at Gravetye Manor – former home of the celebrated gardener, William Robinson. It is a riot of colour and features a wonderful oval walled garden. We return to Hever Castle where we enjoy English Afternoon Tea (included).

Thursday 3rd July

Today we have a pre-opening guided tour of Great Dixter a cottage garden on a grand scale created by the late gardening writer and lecturer, Christopher Lloyd.

Later, we arrive at Sissinghurst Castle Gardens − the epitome of the English garden with its series of garden rooms, each filled with different planting schemes and unique designs. We have time for lunch (independent) before exploring the garden.

We return to Hever for our final night’s dinner in the Great Hall (included).

Friday 4th July

After check out, our last day is spent at the RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival. You will have time to explore the show gardens, fabulous floral displays, talks and music and have lunch (independent). In the late afternoon we drop off at the Sheraton Heathrow Hotel and Heathrow Airport Terminal 3 for inter-terminal transport links and the Heathrow Express and Elizabeth Line trains into London.

Note: Some garden visits await final confirmation at the time of publication.

Please read our Tour Joining and Departure Arrangements information sheet here. To download a printable version of this itinerary, click here.

The King’s Head, Cirencester (4 nights)

The King’s Head is an elegant boutique hotel dating from the 15th century with 70 stylish bedrooms, located in the heart of the historic Cotswolds market town of Cirencester. Today it is a haven of style and comfort. It is brilliantly located for exploring the shops, museums and restaurants in this lovely town.  

Hever Castle, Kent (4 nights)

The luxurious, exclusive-use Astor Wing is attached by an enclosed bridge over the moat to Hever Castle, childhood home of Anne Boleyn − 2nd wife of King Henry VIII. The well-appointed accommodation offers antique furnishings and original features along with all modern comforts. Guests are able to explore the grounds at Hever Castle after the castle closes. There is an outdoor heated pool, tennis court and billiards room for your exclusive use. NB: This hotel does not have a lift due to the historic nature of the building and some rooms are accessed via a staircase.

TOUR PRICES: Prices are per person, based on twin/double room share, with single supplement (solo occupancy of a double room) shown separately. Tours are priced in £GBP.

Tour cost per person (sharing twin or double room)	Single Supplement (for single occupancy of a double room)
£5,900 (GBP)	£785 (GBP)

PRICES INCLUDE:

• 8 nights’ accommodation at a 4-star hotel and at Hever Castle’s Astor Wing with en-suite facilities.
• Breakfast daily, 5 lunches and 6 dinners.
• Assistance with luggage at the hotels.
• All garden visits including tours with garden owners and head gardeners.
• A day at RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival.
• Deluxe coach travel with professional driver.
• Transfers to and from the hotel and Heathrow Airport at the start and end of the tour.
• An information pack with detailed booklet about the gardens we will be visiting.
• Services of your Sisley tour director throughout.
• All tour gratuities (driver, tour director and hotels).

PRICES EXCLUDE:

• Airfares.
• Passport and/or visa fees if applicable.
• Meals not included in the tour, drinks, laundry, and telephone calls.

TOUR PAYMENT: A 10% non-refundable deposit is required to secure your place(s) on the tour. Your balance payment is due 120 days prior to the tour departure.

EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION:  You can get an idea of the cost of the tour in your local currency by using a currency converter. Conversion rates are based on institutional or inter-bank daily rates. Retail conversion rates include fees and will generally differ from these rates.

BOOK YOUR TOUR

To book your place(s) please complete our online booking form at www.sisley.co.uk/booking-form/ or click the BOOK NOW button below. As soon as we receive your booking form, we will confirm availability on the tour of your choice and arrange collection of your deposit which secures your booking.

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HOW TO PAY

There are three ways to pay for your tour and you will be asked on the booking form which you prefer:

With our travel partner in North America: You can book your tour in USD$ or CAD$ by credit card or check with our partners at DHTour – a London and UK specialist travel agent who can assist with all aspects of your trip. Find out more about DHTour here.

With Sisley Garden Tours: All clients are welcome to book a tour directly with us. We can accept payment in GBP£ by bank transfer or by credit/debit card.

With your own travel agent: We are happy to work with your preferred travel agent. Just provide us with their contact details on the booking form and we will take care of the rest.

TRAVEL INSURANCE AND BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS

It is mandatory for all overseas visitors to the UK to have travel insurance before joining our tours. Full details of our booking terms & conditions can be found at www.sisley.co.uk/terms-and-conditions.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Please see the Frequently Asked Questions section on our website for further information www.sisley.co.uk/frequently-asked-questions/

We very much look forward to welcoming you, but please email tours@sisley.co.uk if you have any queries..

If you would like to complete our online booking form, please click the Book Now button.

Please contact us if you have any queries about the tour or would like to arrange for us to call you back.

To download a PDF of the tour itinerary to print out or send to friends, please choose the Print Itinerary button.

Read through our Frequently Asked Question section to find out more about our tours, dress code, average day, tips etc.

To assist you in pre and post tour planning, you might wish to read our tour Joining and Departure Arrangements. Click opposite for further details.